Top 15 Yandere Characters in Anime: Yandere Definition

It's slowly become one of the most popular archetypes in anime, but what exactly does yandere mean? From past favorites to horrific newcomers, this list contains the best of of the best yandere in anime history and present.

What Does Yandere Mean?

You know the phrase "crazy in love"? Well that's pretty much the definition of a yandere character. Yandere is a sickness that infests itself in the sweetest of characters, who become so absolutely infatuated with their love interests that they are willing to do anything for them, even if those actions aren't necessarily what their love interests desire. As is the case with some of the craziest serial killers, the yandere believes that what they are doing is just. It's a mental instability that forces them to focus their energy on one cause (love), and once a yandere falls in love, there's just no turning back. Especially after you've killed every other girl/boy your crush is close to in order to protect them.

Member Favorites: 11167

I had heard Mikasa was considered something of a yandere before Attack on Titan aired, but wasn't sold on the idea until quite late on into the series. Her feelings towards Eren really are just prime yandere material. The shadow dropping across her face when she thinks Eren might have betrayed her in some way speaks to her true yandere character.

Member Favorites: 270

She's new but she's already entered yandere folklore. Anna from Shimoneta's mind had been warped by these bizarre ideals of what equals purity in her dystopic cyberpunk society. This creates conditions ripe for her to go full yandere when she first finds a guy she likes, culminating in some quite extraordinary scenes which include, but are not limited to, chasing after the main character with a vacuum cleaner intent on putting the business end on his penis. Also "special" cookies.

Member Favorites: 379

Another thing an awful lot of yandere lists are missing are some men in the picture. The character trope is not limited to women you know. Rolo from Code Geass R2 is a perfect yandere anime guy in that he goes out and kills people who would dare get between him and his newfound brotherly love for Lelouch, even when Lelouch would really prefer if he didn't go around killing those people.

Member Favorites: 4085

Rena is a great example of how yandere characters can be messed up beforehand and simply act out in violent manners because that's just how they are. While this weird town may have been what twisted Rena, what we see is how her affection towards the main character manifests itself... into a big bloody axe.

Member Favorites: 402

There probably were some yandere characters before Shuffle, but in the modern context, it was Shuffle that brought the yandere into harems and gave lazy creators another character archetype to latch on to. Just give your heroine a blank stare, psychotic acts, and a love of box cutters and you've got yourself another character for your harem dating sim.

Member Favorites: 131

Hetalia may not always hit the mark and there's something about the more deranged parts of its fanbase that can be a little off-putting, but some of its interpretations of international history are weirdly genius. Belarus in the real world has made hints about wanting to be part of Russia. In Hetalia, this translates to Belarus wanting to be "one" with Russia which obviously means she acts yandere towards Russia. Logic!

Member Favourites: 893

While Shuffle may have introduced the concept of the yandere to a wider audience, School Days and its nice boat exploded it into wider anime fandom consciousness. This was a yandere anime girl so extreme that they couldn't show the final episode properly the first time and instead showed a nice boat.

Member Favorites: 26

For all I said earlier about yandere lists needing more guys, I then proceed to not include anymore. So here's another one from the recently aired and totally silly pseudo-musical otome game adaptation Dance with Devils. Lindo is the creepy brother who basically tries to lock his sister in her house (so nobody can get close to her) and sings about how much he loves her to an empty room. I think somebody's got a serious sister complex.

Member Favorites: 2040

At the start of Berserk, Griffith declares he "owns" Guts, which at first most viewers take metaphorically, as though Guts owes Griffith a big favor. It's only when we get later on into the series and Berserk starts down its demonic path do we realize that Griffith's obsession with "owning" Guts goes far beyond that, straight into the creepy world of yandere.

Member Favorites: 13

Even before we get into the territory of being willing to chop your own head off, Mika Harima was kinda deranged in her pursuit of love. She was a stalker, and when you're talking about yandere being a love sickness of the mind, stalkers fit that pretty well. Her boyfriend probably qualifies as a yandere anime guy too.

Member Favorites: 10101

Lucy was a pretty damaged individual, even before she met and fell in love with the guy of her dreams. Something about having puppies beaten to death in front of you that'll really change a person (Elfen Lied not an anime known for its subtlety). This really starts to manifest itself though, later on, with lots of blood flying as a result.

Member Favorites: 5

Look man, I know Kamisama Dolls wasn't the greatest anime around. But it would be unfair of me to not give it credit for the one thing it does superbly - really, really deranged and angry people. Of those characters, Mahiru was probably the best yandere, making her a both horrific and fantastic addition to this list.

Member Favorites: 13972

Senjogahara likes to claim she's a tsundere, but that's not true. She just puts on that act. In reality she's a frightening yandere that threatens people with stationary should they dare get in the way of herself and her love.

Member Favorites: 361

Another yandere stalker on this list. However, while yandere characters have a reputation for being extremely violent and out of control, that's not all there is to them. To be a true yandere anime character, one's love must be frightening, but also come from the heart - a love so passionate that it's scary and dangerous. Ringo's stalker antics fit these requirements to a tee.

Member Favorites: 17221

You thought I'd forgotten, hadn't you? How could I? Gasai Yuno from Future Diary is the yandere of all yandere characters. She lives, breathes and swings axes like a yandere. To not include Yuno would be like not including a roof in a list of "things your house should probably have". She is the face of the yandere character archetype in a way no other is. Maybe one day someone will take over for our favorite psycho pink-haired girl, but for now, she is the best yandere out there.

Anime is home to an array of different character archetypes. If you enjoyed this article, you will surely find the following "dere" anime tropes just as useful!

We all get in the mood for some fun, excitement and a good love story. And we all love to watch anime with our significant others...so that we can witness what our favorite characters are doing with their significant others. It's time to check out some top-notch action romance anime!

If it was physically possible, and we managed to avoid being put in the friend zone, it would be almost every anime fan's dream come true. Let's take a peek at some characters that would make for the best anime girlfriend!